About Silken

From broken bones and shredded muscle to Olympic glory… Silken's story is one of courage, perseverance and the triumph of the human spirit.

In May 1992, just 10 weeks before the Olympic Games, Silken Laumann was injured in a brutal rowing accident that left her right leg shattered and useless. Reigning world champion in Single Sculls rowing, Silken was told by doctors she might never row again.

Twenty-seven days, five operations, and countless hours of gruelling rehabilitation later, Silken was back in her shell, ready to pursue her Olympic dream. When the starter's pistol rang out on August 2, 1992, Silken made the greatest comeback in Canadian sports history, winning the bronze medal for Canada, and capturing the hearts of a nation.

Silken retired from rowing in 1999 with three Olympic medals, and since then has continued to inspire, encouraging people to dream, live in the moment and embrace failure as a stepping stone to success.

“In ten weeks she made the greatest comeback in Canadian sports history, becoming a symbol of hope to all.” The Montreal Gazette

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS, AWARDS, HONOURS

1996 Silver Medal – Atlanta Olympics

1992 Bronze Medal – Barcelona Olympics

1991 World Champion – Single Sculls Rowing

1987 Gold Medal - Pan American Games (Single Sculls)

1984 Bronze Medal – Los Angeles Olympics

Honorary Doctorates: University of Victoria (1994), McMaster University (1994), University of Windsor (1997), Laurentian University (1998), Western University (2013)

ADVOCATE

Silken joined GoodLife Kids Foundation as their Kid's Champion in 2010. Silken’s goal is to inspire grown up role models like you, who have the greatest impact in a child’s life. Together we can ensure that physical activity and healthy eating become a part of every Canadian child’s daily living. GLKF is a Canadian private foundation that envisions a Canada where all kids have the opportunity to benefit from an active life. They are inspiring parents, role models, mentors, leaders and individuals like you, to deliver the message to kids, that being active is not only good for their body and mind but also a lot of fun.

In the Goodlife Kids Foundation video below, Silken speaks about inspiring kids to get active - check it out!

Silken was a Member of the International Board of Directors for Right to Play, from 2000 - 2015, an international development agency dedicated to reintroducing play into the lives of children in disadvantaged areas around the world.

Unsinkable: A Memoir

A surprising and inspiring story of courage, perseverance and the triumph of the human spirit.

Just ten weeks before the 1992 Olympic Games, Silken Laumann, the reigning world champion in single sculls rowing, suffered a brutal accident that left her right leg shattered and useless. Doctors doubted that she would ever... more

What I'm Reading

UNSINKABLE: MY UNTOLD STORY

Author: Silken Laumann

Yes, I am reading my own book. Unsinkable, my untold story, which is a book of the trials and tribulations, the joys and insights, of my life thus far. There are tough parts about my family...